Promote DSPs, inspectors observing seniority, SC orders IG Punjab

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Punjab police chief to promote deputy superintendents of police and inspectors according to their seniority and turn. This order was passed by an apex court divisional bench of Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jilani and Justice Asif Saeed Khosa on petitions moved by about 200 DSPs and inspectors seeking promotions. At the outset of the proceedings, the bench was informed that two months ago the apex court had directed the Punjab police to prepare a seniority list and give promotion to police officials according to it. Counsels for the petitioners argued that such a list had been prepared, but many officers deserving promotions were ignored. They alleged that the seniority list had been arranged on the basis of favoritism and not on merit since many low ranking officials had been given out-of-turn promotions. Appearing before the bench, a law officer submitted the seniority list and the reply from the police department, dismissing the allegations of favoritism. He told the bench that a committee had been constituted that drew up the list on merit.The bench reviewed the reply, and directed the police department to form a new committee and promote the officials (and the petitioners) in waiting within a month in view of the recommendations it came up with. Later, the court disposed of the petitions which were moved by DSP Safdar Raza Kazmi and others.